2021 Nissan VERSA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
6,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 31 complaints (29.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 19.4% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 12.9% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 9.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 9 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
Power Train: 9; Electrical System: 5; Engine: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Air Bags: 4; Steering: 4; Visibility/Wiper: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 28 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2021: 4; 2022: 5; 2023: 6; 2024: 6; 2025: 3; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11689040 · 2025-09-22 (September 22, 2025)
Need to put in complaint the CVT transmissions has been doing a lot of whining and jerky. Spoke to the dealership they stated had no idea what it was. Started to investigate and found out there were recalls in the 2012 to 2015 CVT transmissions on Nissans and there is pending investigation in the years 2020 to 2023 for the same thing. Was told by a car repair to put in complaint. Due to the fact my Nissan stopped and would not move in the middle of an intersection which almost caused a wreck. There were no warning lights it just wouldn't go int…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11689040 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11714561 · 2026-01-30 (January 30, 2026)
My 2021 Nissan Versa was struck at high speed while parked and required extensive repairs that exceeded the vehicle’s value. After the repairs, the transmission began acting erratically. The car shudders, hesitates, and feels unstable while driving. Acceleration is unpredictable and the vehicle does not feel safe or reliable. These issues were not present before the collision and have continued to worsen. I have children and do not feel it is safe to operate this vehicle, so it is currently parked.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11714561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11398151 · 2021-02-27 (February 27, 2021)
WELL DRIVING I NOTICE A CAR WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS ON STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME NOT MOVING. QUICKLY GOING TO BRAKE.. I HAD NO BRAKES I PUSHED AGAIN AND TURNED RIGHT. ALMOST INCHES TO HITTING A GAS PUMP. THANKFULLY BUMPS AND BRUISES . I WAS RENTING THE VEHICLE FROM INDIANA DRIVING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE TO FLORIDA. I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE. I ALSO GOT CHARGED AN EXTRA RENTAL DAY SINCE I WAS TOLD TO AWAIT A CALL. I'M NOT SURE WHO'S AT FAULT WHETHER IT IS A MASTER CYLINDER PROBLEM OR BOLT IN STEERING. PLEASE HELP ME. I HAVE BEEN STUCK IN FLA NOT ABLE TO GET HOM…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11398151 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11545075 · 2023-09-17 (September 17, 2023)
2021 Nissan Versa S on Aug 26th 2023 driving back from NY heading toward Ma. when a Malfunction sign came up on the dashboard of the car. we pulled over trying to figure out what was happening and took a picture of the warning sign also the Break Assist showing something just happened. turned the car off and the driver turned the car back on. Continue driving. 20 miles down the road the Car brakes locked up the car skid a bit jerking driver and passenger forward. The driver stopped the car. A warning sign was on the dashboard showing a yellow…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11545075 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11577638 · 2024-03-15 (March 15, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V496000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11577638 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11514275 · 2023-03-28 (March 28, 2023)
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal from a stop sign, the vehicle started stalling. The contact stated the crash indicator warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, but the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21.
Owner-reported narrative. 21 miles reported. Look up ODI 11514275 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11611743 · 2024-08-30 (August 30, 2024)
Driving down the road, the car enters a phase where you can not accelerate at all. It seems like the fuel injectors are cut off by 90% and you can only accelerate to about 35 mph. It stalls often and feels as if it's struggling to switch gears. It only has 68k miles on it with regular maintenance being done. It is too new to have these problems.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11611743 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11552996 · 2023-11-01 (November 1, 2023)
Battery continues to die after 6 months of having a new one. Alternator and starter have been checked and are in good working condition.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11552996 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11718275 · 2026-02-16 (February 16, 2026)
Transmission failure 2 Times. First time experienced jerking and some smoke coming out and second time same jerking and smoke along with electrical system failure. Nissan paid 40% the first time to help and I paid 60% even though I did not agree with that I did it. 2nd time they refuse to pay anything because of warranty even though it only took 40, 000 miles and transmission went out gain. Obvious that the transmissions are trash. The constant jerking and smoking in engine and electrical failure not to mention I was in a hit and run and ran i…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11718275 at NHTSA ↗